Children, pets, surfaces and the environment can be adversely affected by the use of rock salt and salt-based ice melter products. Dogs are especially vulnerable to the corrosive characteristics of salt, and the resulting health problems can include dermatitis, inflammation of the paws, and serious gastrointestinal problems including vomiting and internal burns of the mouth and digestive tract.

Safe Paw is a patented dual-effect compound, made up of crystalline amide core infused with special glycols. This non-corrosive and non-toxic composition gives Safe Paw a two-way timed-release action. The liquid component starts melting ice instantly while breaking its surface tension. This allows the crystal-core to quickly penetrate and destabilize the ice and speed up the melting process. So not only is it safer, but it's more effective than a traditional rock salt melter.

When winter snow and ice arrive many people use ice melters to keep their families safe from slips and falls. But did you know that most ice melters contain salt - meaning they can damage your hardscapes or injure your pets and children?

What is Safe Paw?No other ice/snow melter works like Safe Paw and is 100 percent safe for children, pets, all surfaces and the environment. It is unique in its compound and benefits without utilizing any salt as an ingredient and gives off no heat to melt ice. Safe Paw is a patented dual-effect compound, made up of crystalline amide core infused with special glycols. This non-corrosive composition gives Safe Paw a two-way timed-release action. The liquid component starts melting ice instantly while breaking its surface tension. This allows the crystal-core to quickly penetrate and destabilize the ice and speed up the melting process. Safe Paw actually attracts heat to make it even more effective but does not give off heat. This "endothermic" reaction takes advantage of solar effect and provides extra melting power during daylight hours. As an added feature, Safe Paw leaves an invisible protective shield that prevents ice from sticking to the surface for up to three days. This makes shoveling easier and saves work.

How does Safe Paw differ from other ice melter products?Safe Paw contains no salt. Its patented dual-effect compound, made up of crystalline amide core infused with special glycols, provides a non-corrosive composition with two-way timed-release action. The liquid component starts melting ice instantly while breaking its surface tension and works up to two degrees below zero. This allows the crystal-core to quickly penetrate and destabilize the ice and speed up the melting process. Rock salt and other salt-based ice melters contain sodium chloride or potassium chloride that melt only down to 24 degrees which is not very low and does it very slowly. Often these white pellets (crystals) sit on ice and snow surfaces for a long period before penetrating. Exposure or digesting these ingredients can cause health problems for pets and children. Moreover, the salt residue left over from these products causes damage to pavers, concrete, asphalt, wood, lawns, floors and rugs. With the exception of Safe Paw, all ice melters on the market contain salt, including Road Runner, Driveway Heat, Zero Ice, Arctic, Halite, Qik Joe, Ice Vice, Safe Step and Peladow.

What makes rock salt and ice melters containing salt dangerous to pets and children?Exposure to salt and salt-based ice melting products, a common occurrence, can cause dogs severe dermatitis, inflammation of the paws and serious gastrointestinal problems including vomiting and internal burns of the mouth and digestive tract. Salt can also burn and irritate children's eyes and skin and cause internal problems if swallowed according to pediatricians. For dogs, in particular, exposure to salt and salt-based ice melt products can mean an unhealthy winter and unplanned trips to the vets' office or animal hospital. The problem is that when dogs are let out they frolic and eat the snow and many of the ice melt products sit on the surface of the ice. Dogs either ingest these ice melt pellets or they get frozen into their paws. Later when they are inside with higher temperatures the ice melts and dogs begin to lick their paws. The salt can heat up as high as 175 degrees and not only burn their skin but their mouth and digestive system.

Do most consumers know the health dangers of rock salt and ice melters containing salt?No. In fact, a national survey of more than 500 consumers living in cold weather states showed that an alarming nearly two-thirds of the respondents (62% total; 66% of men) were not aware that salt and salt-based ice melting products pose a health danger to pets and children who digest or come into contact with these products. The survey also revealed that 60% of the respondents said they use rock salt or salt-based ice melters in their households.

While Safe Paw is safe for pets and children, how does it work in melting snow and ice compared to rock salt and products containing salt?Safe Paw works just as good as or even better than salt or salt-based products. In fact, Safe Paw begins working immediately to penetrate ice while other ice melters work very slowly. Moreover, most salt-based products melt ice only down to 24 degrees, while Safe Paw works up to 2 degrees below zero. Safe Paw also leaves an invisible protective shield that prevents ice from sticking to the surface for up to three days. This makes shoveling easier and saves work.

Are there any other advantages of using Safe Paw?Yes. Salt is a corrosive compound and its residue can damage the environment such as lawns, plants and even contaminate well water and water supplies. Salt can also severely damage and permanently discolor brick pavers, stones, asphalt, concrete and wood decking. When tracked inside, it can also damage rugs, carpets and wood floors.

WhoChildren, pets, surfaces and the environment can be adversely affected by the use of rock salt and salt-based ice melter products used by households in the winter. A recent national survey shows that 60 percent of American households use these products in the winter. And, an alarming 62 percent are unaware of the health dangers associated with the use of these products. Safe Paw is the only 100 percent salt-free ice melter on the market and is 100 percent safe for children, pets, surfaces and the environment. It is the smart and safe product to use with winter, and Safe Paw's pellets are green to make it easy for consumers to know the difference.

WhatRock salt and other salt-based ice melters contain sodium chloride or potassium chloride which can heat up to 175 degrees when exposed to water, ice and low temperatures. Often these white pellets (crystals) sit on ice and snow surfaces for a long period before penetrating into the ice. Exposure or digesting these salt compounds can cause health problems for pets and children. Moreover, the salt and salt residue left over from these products cause permanent damage to pavers, asphalt, concrete, wood decks, floors and rugs and can harm the environment, including burn and kill lawns and plants and contaminate well and drinking water supplies.

HowFor dogs, in particular, exposure to salt and salt-based ice melt products can mean an unhealthy winter and unplanned trips to the vets' office or animal hospital. The problem is that when dogs are let out they frolic and eat the snow and many of the ice melt products sit on the surface of the ice. Dogs either ingest these ice melt pellets or they get frozen into their paws. Later when they are inside with higher temperatures the ice melts and dogs begin to lick their paws. The salt can heat up as high as 175 degrees and not only burn their skin but their mouth and digestive system. Children also can come into contact with salt and salt-based pellets while playing. Occasionally they will ingest the pellets or more likely get them on their hands and rub their eyes causing irritation.

WhySafe Paw was developed by a chemist engineer to eliminate the health and environmental problems associated with melting ice and snow. Safe Paw contains no salt. Its patented dual-effect compound, made up of crystalline amide core infused with special glycols, provides a non-corrosive composition with two-way timed-release action. The liquid component starts melting ice instantly while breaking its surface tension and works up to two degrees below zero. This allows the crystal-core to quickly penetrate and destabilize the ice and speed up the melting process. That's why you won't find these warnings on Safe Paw that are found on all salt ice melters: Danger! Keep away from pets and children. Wear rubber gloves and goggles when using. Wash contaminated clothing and call doctor immediately is contact with eye or ingested.

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The reviews below are presented for informational purposes only and are not intended as an endorsement of any product. The information is not intended to be a substitute for visits to your local veterinarian. Instead, these testimonials offer the reader information and opinions written by pet owners and/or veterinarians concerning animal health and products that they have used.

My second winter using this product, and I still am completely delighted with it. It may be pricey, but it's worth it. It did a great job with all the ice of this nasty winter. And I had a great laugh when the little boy who came to shovel asked me about the blue color - he thought I spilled a blue Slushie! And it doesn't bother my dog or damage my property at all. Buying 2 more buckets to be ready for next year.

This ice melt works really well. I live in NC and we don't get bad weather often, but occasionally we do get some snow and ice and our back deck (wood) gets frozen over and very slippery. I bought this to hopefully keep it from getting so slippery, especially for our 13 year old Weimaraner. We just had a fair amount of sleet and ice and we started putting it out after a good layer of ice built up. It worked really well in melting and breaking down the ice. We did have to apply it several times as more ice built up. But I think it did a good job. It was much easier to make a path for the dogs, and ourselves. I will be ordering more in anticipation of future bad weather. It didn't seem to bother our dogs feet. Some did get dragged into the house on our and the dogs feet, but I'd much rather have that problem than one of our babies or us falling and getting hurt! I definitely recommend this product.

My service dog has a severe reaction when she gets "ordinary" road salts in her mouth/throat. Several visits to the vet, but all we could do was treat irritation after the fact. So I looked long and hard for a really different yet effective product and found Safe Paw. I use it on a 100' aluminum ramp, paved driveway, rubber mats, and gravel, so the dog is frequently exposed to it. Absolutely 100% safe and no negative reaction at all. Have not seen any adverse reaction to any of the surfaces I treat, either. Pricey, but worth it! Just bought 70 more pounds.

I wanted something safe for my dog's delicate pads and yet I know the winter ice will build up on my sidewalks and front porch. Thank goodness for this product because I don't worry that it will harm my dog's paws. We keep a warm cloth by the door for when we come in from winter treks in snow, and I always hesitate taking my dog for very long walks. I know some folks don't use a dog safe ice melt, but this one really gives me peace of mind. An entire jug was used last winter with all the ice we had, and I never once felt concerned it would harm my dog's feet. Thanks!